Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Dallas, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 25 years experience

You have to use the same wording in your resume as the job description on the posting. They get so many applications they only look at the ones that are exactly what was posted.

Rashid Hill, MPM ⋅ San Diego, CA United States Navy ⋅ 33 years experience

Great information here from all contributors. I have landed a job via usajobs and over the last 5 years I've applied for about 10 and after making cut and getting interviewed I've been offered 2 more federal positions but the timing was not right and turned both down. One was within the last month. Just so you know I've had some direct experience with this application process. If you want more assistance you can contact me at l3.thebrand@gmail.com. One thing to remember you must be flexible in where you want to work. That will help when applying as well.

Rashid Hill

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Also see:
"Wrote up some insider intel on applying to Federal jobs gained from speakers at my university last week - anyone else have other tips they've learned?"
http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=5798437743562338305&qid=c144428a-cbe8-483c-b19e-6ed574bc45b2&trk=groups_items_see_more-0-b-ttl

Joyce Tabb ⋅ Jessup, MD U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 20 years served

Thanks. This information has helped me. I've been unemployed for over five months and completed at least 50 applications on USAJobs and wondered why I was never "qualified". I will spend my time on other avenues for employment for now.

Joyce Tabb

Gary Coggins ⋅ Starkville, MS U.S. Army Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 28 years served

Be aware that you must be able to answer expert to most of the questions in the questionaire with supporting information in your resume. Essentially, you will need to tailor your resume to each job position.

Gary Coggins

Ku'ulei Jakubczak ⋅ North Las Vegas, NV Verizon ⋅ 20 years experience

- I have experience with reviewing resumes & conducting interviews with Verizon when I was a manager. If you would like to send me your resume as well as a copy of a job description for a job you applied for, I would be happy to provide any recommendations to customize your resume - kuulei.jakubczak@vzw.com
- I also agree with Judy, mirror your resume to what the job description is asking for, use key words that are in the job description in your resume..
- The very top/beginning of your resume needs to capture their attention, showing that you have the qualifications they are looking for.
- I would also, provide very specific "results". The more quantifiable results the better. Here's an example of how a Capt in the Army presented a piece of his resume (just to give you an idea).

COMPANY COMMANDER: 03/06 to 05/08

Company Commander of a direct support supply company that provides direct combat services support to over 180 units at Ft. Hood, Texas. Provided Class I, II, III (P), IV, and VII supplies, bulk petroleum storage and distribution and water purification and distribution support to these units. Responsible for the training, deploy ability, morale, welfare, and safety for over 155 soldiers and their families in preparation for war and other contingency operations. Responsible for the maintenance and accountability for over $14 million worth of equipment which includes over 115 pieces of rolling stock and combat service support systems. Responsible for the overall operations for the Supply Support Activity (SSA) that supports over 200 at Ft. Hood, as well as, civilian contractors.
• Achieved 98% inventory accuracy for a 1700-plus line Authorized Stockage List (ASL) with five consecutive months at 100%.
• Effectively managed the operation of the largest bulk petroleum storage fixed facility in Baghdad, Iraq consisting of 5.7 million gallons of fuel issuing an average of 14.3 million gallons over a five month period.
• Recognized by the Rapid Review Team as having a commendable program for parts accountability and over-aged repairable management.